Week 83

Hello Family! Last week was SO sweet.. SO rewarding, and SO spiritual.

Lexee... Did you forward those pictures that I sent for the family pic to everyone?? I hope not. Haha. Anyways..

We have been working with the Briggs since I've been here in Knoxville.. And its been an adventure to say the least.. We have overcome SOO many challenges and trials, and we have seen her spiritual progression sky rocket since day 1 of teaching. Its been one of the greatest conversion stories i've seen. She comes from a small town called Hartlepool England. Its a SUPER rough town.. And she went through a lot of bad things there. But all of those bad things is what eventually led to what she called "the greatest day of her life." On Saturday she was baptized. The service couldn't have gone more perfectly. It was fantastic. Spirit was so strong. As I witnessed the baptism an overwhelming feeling came into my heart that God truly does have a plan for all of His children. Before the world was, he knew that a young man from Draper UT, was going to bring a lady from ALL the way accross the world in Hartlepool England the gospel. He made our paths cross, and He is in charge. SO cool!!

Sis Briggs asked me to confirm her.. While I was giving the blessing an overwhelming sensation came over me that one day they would be sealed for time and all eternity. And also that they would live a life dedicated to service to the church. It was cool..  Then afterwards in the Gospel Principles class, Brother Briggs said that He wanted to be a senior missionary someday! Haha! And Sis Briggs said that they would definately have to look into that! :) SOO cool!!

Cool quick experience.. A couple of weeks ago.. Me and Elder Wally were walking to an appointment in a town called Pella. I think i've mentioned it before.. Haha and to put it nicely.. ITs a town that REALLY doesn't like Mormon Missionaries. About 6 years ago missionaries actually lived there, but they had to move because bad things were happening. Haha.. And tracting in that town is pretty crazy. You get some harsher than harsh rejections.. But I was pretty determined to find somebody in Pella from tracting. One day as we were walking, I felt like we needed to tract this apartment building. We didn't have time then.. And it killed me to walk away from it, but I knew that we could come back. So a week later we came back, and we found a couple named the Larry and June Fredericks. WAY cool!! Hah. June had family from UT and she would actually visit and go to church there.. And we've been teaching them, and they came to church and things are going great! :) Way cool.. We're gonna be bold with them and invite them to be baptized on December 15th here this week! Woot Woot!! Pray for it!

I love you all family! Very much. THanks for the emails.. Thats crazy that Lexee is getting married.. Geez.. Haha I still don't know how I feel about it.

Mom and Dad thanks for your email.. And Dad to answer your question Springfield IL is actually not in our mission. Its on the border. But there are a few area's that I would have liked to at least visit, like Dubuque Iowa, and Davenport Iowa, and Peoria Illinois, but over all, i've been able to see quite a bit of the state and the mission so its pretty sweet. The biggest thing that I wanted as a younger missionary was to serve near Nauvoo, and I got Quincy which was SWEET! Haha and especially during Pageant Season.. So i'm really happy with the area's that i've served. But its cool I love the mission SO much.

I love you guys! Thanks for the prayers! It means a lot! And I feel them!

Love Elder Russell